Predicting Willingness to Donate Organs According to the Demographic Characteristics of the Deceased's Family

Abstract

Background Transplant professionals need to gain a better understanding of the factors that facilitate willingness to donate a family member's organs, in order to increase the rate of organ donation. Objective To conduct an integrated analysis of demographic data relating to key family members, so as to help transplant professionals predict the likelihood that family members would be willing to donate organs. Method Demographic variables were collected on 753 brain-dead patients and 995 first-degree relatives in 20 Israeli hospitals from 2004 to 2009. The data were recorded by transplant coordinators who used a uniform format to document meetings with next of kin. The data were analyzed by using the Chaid Statistical Test from the SPSS statistical package. Results In this total study population, the most significant factor affecting the decision to donate was religion. With increasing religiousness, the likelihood of consent decreased. A large disparity was apparent among Moslems, Christians, and Jews. Within the religious groups, education (Jews), familial proximity to the deceased (Christians and Moslems), and the quality of relationships with the medical staff (Moslems) were the main predictors of consent. Summary Most countries have Christian, Moslem, and Jewish residents, so the conclusions of this study and its implications for practice should be relevant for transplant coordinators anywhere. The recommendations, which stem from the results of this study, relate to activities of transplant coordinators before and during their interaction with families, before the request for organ donation.